Eco Recycling Ltd (Ecoreco) has announced the expansion of its e-waste and lithium-ion battery recycling facilities, marking a crucial step in supporting the country’s ambitious Critical Mineral Mission.
Ecoreco, a pioneer in the recycling industry and the first authorized recycling facility in India for e-waste, has been at the forefront of sustainable waste management since its establishment in 2005.
Recognizing the growing demand for critical minerals and the increasing generation of electronic waste, Ecoreco has significantly scaled up its recycling capacities.
The company’s new facility will boost its e-waste recycling capacity to 25,200 metric tons per annum (MTPA), with an additional 18,000 MTPA dedicated to lithium-ion batteries.
This expansion is entirely funded through internal accruals, showcasing Ecoreco’s commitment to sustainable development and innovation.
The Indian government, under the leadership of Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has been proactive in addressing the recycling of valuable resources.
In her recent budget speech, Sitharaman highlighted the necessity of the Critical Mineral Mission, which aims to enhance domestic production, recycling, and the overseas acquisition of critical minerals.
She emphasized the importance of developing technology, skilled workforce, and an extended producer responsibility (EPR) framework to ensure a steady supply of these essential resources.
Critical minerals such as lithium, copper, cobalt, and rare earth elements play a pivotal role in various sectors including nuclear and renewable energy, space exploration, defense, telecommunications, and high-tech electronics.
To support these sectors, the Finance Minister proposed customs duty exemptions on 25 critical minerals and a reduction in Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on two others, aiming to boost their processing and refining within the country.
Ecoreco’s expanded facilities are expected to play a crucial role in this mission by recovering precious and rare metals from electronic waste and lithium-ion batteries.
These materials, often overlooked in traditional waste management, are vital for sustaining technological advancements and strategic industries.
The company is already serving some of the major global brands, managing their e-waste and providing EPR credits as required by the government’s regulations.
With this latest expansion, Ecoreco is poised to make significant contributions to India’s critical mineral supply chain and its broader environmental goals.
As India continues to advance its recycling infrastructure, Ecoreco’s expanded facilities represent a significant leap forward in the country’s efforts to achieve sustainability and secure its position in the global market for critical minerals.
